Kindness As An Option

By Reinhardt Heinrichs • Volume 38, Number 8 • October 2017

Kindness can be a rarity in the culture of the times. Actions taken with kind intent can be immediately and sometimes violently contested. War and confrontational rhetoric turns the world into an endless “us and them.”

However, the concept of kindness seems a basic from childhood, at least to keep from clobbering rival siblings in the house, disrupting Mom’s baking. Writer Kurt Vonnegut’s famous quote was, “You’ve got to be kind.” It has a bumper sticker simplicity that someone like John Lennon could offer on behalf of humanity, instead of fist-pumping nationalism.

The anchor of what Kurt says comes from some of the grimmest work experience of the Second World War in Europe. Kurt survived the firestorm bombardment of Dresden, Germany as an American prisoner of war held by German forces. He came from a once-proud German-American family who suffered a loss of status after First World War anti-German propaganda and campaigning. Kurt worked to clean burned bodies out of the fresh ruins of a peaceful city of museums and art. The bombing of Dresden was a deliberate act of cruelty and frustration from the Allied forces of which Kurt was a member. All of this influenced controversial works like Slaughterhouse Five, the book named after the building that housed the prisoners while Dresden burned.

Kurt says we have “got” to be kind. There is a forward finality to it. Things will occur and the directions in which we will be influenced to go can be categorized in many ways for things like social status, wealth, or even a sense of security in the world. Kindness in these pursuits may not be given as an option. Kindness is not weak. It takes strength to be kind when materialism and reactionary emotions seem to be the popular choices.

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Neighbourhood Views

Boyle McCauley Pharmacy Celebrates Five Years – Boyle McCauley Pharmacy and Home Health Care celebrated its fifth anniversary on September 16 with a community barbecue. The business is located at 10817 95 Street. Paula E. Kirman

Boyle Street Block Parties – Four Community Gatherings were hosted by the City of Edmonton this summer at the future Kinistinâw Park at 96 Street between 102A and 103 Avenue in Boyle Street. Many Boyle Street residents attended the events throughout the summer, and participated in activities as well as had a bite to eat. Shannon Murray

Water is Life from Edmonton to Ottawa – The Water is Life mural that was painted at iHuman in September. The project was led by Isaac Murdoch, who partnered with Christi Belcourt to raise awareness of water issues. Belcourt was in Ottawa the same weekend where another mural was created.
Maigan van der Giessen

Annual EDLC BBQ – The 28th Annual Edmonton and District Labour Council’s BBQ for the Unemployed and Underemployed took place in Giovanni Caboto Park on September 4. Once again, the line for food extended throughout the park, as guests were served by volunteers from unions, as well as local politicians. Paula E. Kirman

PARK(ing) Day 2017 – ￼￼PARK(ing) Day took place on September 15. It is a worldwide movement to reclaim public spaces by turning parking stalls into temporary art installations. Edmonton’s event took place along 101 Avenue near 97 Street and featured a number of interactive installations. Paula E. Kirman

PARK(ing) Day 2017 – PARK(ing) Day took place on September 15. It is a worldwide movement to reclaim public spaces by turning parking stalls into temporary art installations. Edmonton’s event took place along 101 Avenue near 97 Street and featured a number of interactive installations. Paula E. Kirman

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